Petron Scores Industry First with ISO 9002 Certification of Its Refinery

October 2, 1998 PSE CIRCULAR FOR BROKERS NO. 2301-98 Press Release October 1, 1998 PETRON SCORES INDUSTRY FIRST WITH ISO 9002 CERTIFICATION OF ITS REFINERY Petron Corporation, the country's biggest oil refining and marketing company, marked another milestone when its refinery in Limay, Bataan recently received the first ISO 9002 certification for Total Refinery Systems in the country. Significantly, this translates into a recognition of the refinery's total dedication to excellence: from effective planning and production to efficient storage and services; from preventive maintenance to environment-friendly measures. In simple rites, Petron Chairman and CEO Jose A. Syjuco, Jr. lauded the entire workforce of the Petron Refinery. "More than being pleased, I am specially proud to be associated with the working men and women of the Refinery for bringing honor to Petron with this ISO award bestowed not just on one or two facilities, but on the entire complex, "Syjuco said. Mr. Poulliot, CEO for Philippine Operations of the Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI), formally awarded the ISO 9002 certification to Chairman Syjuco. They were joined in the presentation by the members of the Refinery Management team led by its Vice President, Apolinario G. Reyes, the ISO Task Force, & its Quality Coordinator. In presenting the award, Poulliot thanked Petron for its continued partnership with BVQI, citing the company's commitment to elevating the standards of quality and excellence in all of its facilities and services. For his part, Petron President Ali A. Al-Ajmi gave credit to the efforts of the Refinery's ISO Task Force in attaining the certification. "What is more remarkable is that this accomplishment came at a time when the Petron Bataan Refinery was concerned in meeting the standards set by the BVQI for ISO certification and at the same time, expanding the operations of the refinery," Al-Ajmi said. As he extended his congratulations to all the personnel who labor day in and day out to continuously improve Refinery operations, Syjuco also called upon his fellow Petronians to develop and enhance the values of being dedicated partners in the company's quest to institutionalize a culture of excellence and camaraderie. "In time, this should enable us to focus together in hurdling our day to day concerns and allow us to see opportunities for sustainable and profitable growth,"" Syjuco said in closing. The prestigious award brings to 20 the number of ISO-certified Petron facilities throughout the country and reinforces the company's leadership in the oil industry. Petron recently celebrated its 65th anniversary, bannered by an impressive reimaging program called The Wave of Change. Petron is poised to meet the challenges of the new century as a world-class, high technology and customer-friendly organization.